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In the opening T20I of the Zimbabwe Women’s tour of the USA, Zimbabwe registered a convincing 28-run win over the hosts at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas. Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a modest 124/7, aided by disciplined contributions from their middle order. In response, the USA faltered in the chase, managing only 96/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Beloved Biza was the star with the ball, bagging 3 key wickets and choking the scoring rate. The USA batting unit struggled for momentum, especially in the middle overs where they lost quick wickets. Zimbabwe took a 1-0 lead in the series with this dominant all-round show.
Zimbabwe’s steady batting and strategic acceleration
Zimbabwe , opting to bat after USA chose to bowl first, crafted a measured innings on a slightly sluggish pitch. While the top-order didn’t blaze away, they laid a decent foundation with calculated singles and rotation. The middle-order duo of Loreen Tshuma (38) and Biza (33) stitched together crucial runs, while late cameos helped them reach 124. The innings gained late momentum thanks to a few boundary hits and smart running between the wickets.
The USA bowlers were disciplined in patches, but missed opportunities to apply pressure consistently. Extras also contributed to Zimbabwe’s total, allowing them to cross the 120-run mark. The pitch assisted spinners, but Zimbabwe read conditions better. Their batting effort, while not explosive, was well-planned for the venue. The target of 125 was competitive, given the slow nature of the surface. Zimbabwe walked off satisfied with a defendable total in hand.
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USA’s faltering chase and Beloved Biza’s game-changing spell
Chasing a target of 125, the USA never really got going, with their innings characterized by a lack of intent and inability to rotate strike. Openers Disha Dhingra (16) and Chetna Pagydyala (25) put on 40 runs, but consumed too many balls, failing to capitalize on the powerplay. Once the first wicket fell, the middle order crumbled under pressure, losing four wickets for just 16 runs.
Biza’s spell 0f 3/18 in her four overs proved decisive, removing Chetna Reddy Pagydyala, Isani Vaghela and Bhakti Ombhai Shastri, disrupting any rhythm USA had. Her sharp lines and subtle variations on a dry pitch made scoring difficult. Although skipper Aditi Chudasama (17) and keeper Pooja Ganesh (21) added 36 runs in a gritty partnership, it was too little too late. Zimbabwe’s fielding was alert and helped tighten the screws further. With this loss, USA will need to reassess their batting strategy and find ways to better handle pressure in the middle overs.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
